Kelly blinked at that. Kit Lockford was definitely not a coward.
“If she married someone else, why is she coming here alone? Where’s her husband?” Kelly asked.
“I don’t know. Sally said she’d heard they’d split. That Althea was free again. Dammit, I shouldn’t have come tonight!” Kit slammed one fist against his thigh, his eyes again scanning the room, his look almost hunted.
Kelly could feel his anguish swamp her enjoyment of the dance.
“Why don’t you want to see her? If you two were planning to marry you must have been close. Why not see her again?”
“Because it’s one thing to have your life dumped into your lap, and something else again to still be alone years later, as if I’m still awaiting the lady to condescend to notice me again. That’s why, dammit!”
Pride. She blinked. It hurt his pride. God knew he didn’t have much else, but he had abundant pride and the situation would take that from him. Of course, if he ran out everyone would know and that would be just as humiliating. Her heart lurched.
“I don’t think she’d think that,” Kelly said.
“I think that’s exactly what she’ll think. You don’t know her. I do,” Kit snapped. “Dammit, the last thing I want is pity and charity from Althea Kendricks. Life is hell enough without that.”
“Are you kidding? She’s probably thanking her lucky stars she didn’t marry you. Of all the bad-tempered, arrogant, stubborn men I’ve ever met, you take the cake.”
“I’m not bad tempered.” He glared at her, momentarily distracted.
“Could have fooled me.” Suddenly she smiled in triumph, her eyes dancing. “You don’t deny arrogant and stubborn, I see.”
“Sure I do. That goes without saying. I will admit to a certain amount of self-assurance.”
She laughed, leaning closer so he could hear her over the band when she said softly, “You act like the world should sit up and roll over for you. If that’s not blatant arrogance, I don’t know what is.”
“I am not arrogant!” Kit brought his face near hers, so near she could feel his breath brush against her cheeks, smell the beer and spicy cologne he used. She was caught by the look on his face, the tight control he exercised. Shakily she licked her lips, mesmerized by the look from Kit’s eyes.
His eyes followed the movement of her tongue, a muscle moving in his cheek. He leaned closer and held her gaze.
“Help me, Kelly,” he said so quietly she almost didn’t hear him.
“Do what?”
“Don’t let me be alone when Althea comes.”
“What do you want me to do, sit with you?”
“Hell, I don’t know.” Kit rubbed a hand across his face, leaning back in his chair. “Dumb idea, forget it.”
Kelly’s face cleared. “I’m to be your girlfriend?” she asked, astonished.
He looked at her warily, not knowing what to expect.
“Just pretend, right?” she asked. Laughing softly at the notion, she noticed his frown and laughed harder, putting her hand on top of his as it rested on his thigh.
“You’re so lover like, darling,” she said when she caught her breath, her eyes dancing in amusement. The entire suggestion was funny from one who was so independent and hard and remote. Imagine him asking her for a favor. This favor. It was mind-boggling.
But a look at his closed face, set against the coming pain, touched her heart and she sobered immediately.
“I’ll help out, if only to have you be nice to me for a little while.” Kelly smiled a slow smile at him, watching the tension ease a little from his eyes.
“How nice?” he asked as wariness slowly crept into his own gaze.
Kelly caught her breath. How could anyone have thrown him over just because he didn’t walk without help?
“I’ll let you know. Deal?”
“Deal.” He took her hand in his and waves of energy pulsated up her arm. She looked at him, her amusement giving way to something else. An awareness of the dominant maleness of him spread through her. The desires and feelings he evoked with no effort on his part flooded her body. She felt vulnerable and fragile and very feminine. What was she getting into?
“If the two of you were engaged and she’s now left her husband, seems like the perfect time to get back together, not play games,” Kelly said, tugging her hand. Kit didn’t release it.
“I don’t want to. I don’t want her even trying. You’re the perfect decoy. You’re new in town, young, successful, pretty enough to attract anyone.” He frowned at that. “You aren’t attached right now, are you?”
She shook her head, fascinated by the play of emotion across his face. “Never have been,” she said honestly.
“And you’ll go through with it?”
She nodded.
“However long she’s here?”
She paused a second, then nodded again, wondering how involved they were supposed to be, and how long Althea was planning to stay.
“It won’t take Althea long to find out I’ve just moved here. Won’t she be suspicious?” Kelly asked, giving the situation some thought.
“Depending on how good an actress you are, no. Though she might wonder how anyone could be attracted to me.” His voice was bitter, his face tormented.
Kelly’s fingers tightened around his and she leaned closer, aching to ease the distress so evident in his expression.
“I think you’re sexy as hell, Kit Lockford,” she said evenly, her eyes looking straight into his.
He shook his head, looking at her as if she’d lost her mind, then a dull flush spread up his neck, touched his cheeks.
Kelly was delighted. She would never have expected such a reaction from the town’s hell-raiser. She smiled in enchantment. Althea must have done a real number on him to shake his own self-confidence so badly. He was more man than she could handle, yet he didn’t seem to realize it. Could she continue the charade for any length of time? Would her own heart become involved?
“Then give me a smile, sweetheart,” Kit said finally. “The music’s stopping and Althea just walked in the door.”
Kelly swirled around to look. There were several people in and near the door, most of them strangers to her. Which one was Althea? Kelly wasn’t left in doubt long as a tall, slim woman with wavy auburn hair turned and spotted Kit. She spoke to the person beside her, her eyes never leaving Kit, and then walked deliberately over to him. Her thick auburn hair was beautiful, Kelly thought, and the striking clothes she wore gave her a certain elegance missing from the other women present.
Althea paused dramatically a few steps away, holding the moment as people nearby turned to look at her, curious about her meeting with Kit.
“Hello, Kit.” Her voice was low and sultry, accompanied by a provocative smile for Kit alone.
Kelly watched quietly, waiting, feeling as if she was on the edge of a deep, dark hole. So this was Althea. Kelly took an immediate dislike to the woman. Knowing what she’d done to Kit was bad enough, but her air of patronization grated on Kelly’s sensibilities. Althea didn’t fit in with the rest of the crowd. And she was a troublemaker. Kelly knew enough about human nature to recognize that trait immediately.
Kelly’s hand ached with the strength of Kit’s grip. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his voice even as he said, “Hello, Allie. Didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
Althea smiled brilliantly. “Just visiting my parents for a while. Thought I’d drop in and see old friends. It’s been a long time, Kit. Too long.”
He shrugged and glanced at Kelly, his eyes opaque, hiding any feeling he had. “Kelly, this is Althea Kendricks. Allie, Kelly Adams.”
The redhead looked at their clasped hands and the slightest frown marred her perfect features. But she recovered quickly.
“How nice to meet you, Kelly,” she said smoothly. “Do you live near here?”
“Yes.” Kelly was not going to volunteer any information.
Althea flicked another glance at their han
ds and looked at Kelly. “Maybe you’d like to dance, or something. I can sit with Kit. He and I have a lot to talk about, to catch up on. We were close, did he tell you?”
Kelly looked up in surprised innocence. “No, he never mentioned he was close to another woman. Of course, I know about his wild reputation when he was young, and the groupies that chased him.”
Althea drew in a sharp breath, her eyes narrowed at the implied insult. “I didn’t chase him! We were engaged.”
“That ended years ago, Allie,” Kit said, his lips twitching at Kelly’s remark. He should have expected Kelly’s sassy mouth to come up with something to insult Althea.
“I didn’t expect to see you at a dance,” Althea said, her eyes running over him.
Kelly turned to look at him, as well. His broad shoulders filled out the Western shirt, and his jeans were new and snug, his boots polished. No one would ever suspect he wasn’t still the wild cowboy of his youth. His body was hard, fit, and his legs strong looking. Kelly felt the solid thud of her heart as she assessed him. He was a gorgeous male.
“I came because of Kelly. I didn’t want to keep her from the dancing and socializing, but no sense letting the others think they can move in on my claim,” he said easily.
The meeting was not going as Althea had wanted, that much was obvious to Kelly. She smiled a broad smile at the older woman and wondered how to get rid of her. While Kit seemed to be handling the confrontation well, she knew he was under a lot of strain. The grip he had on her hand had not eased.
“I’m sure Kelly would like to dance. I’ll sit with you.” Althea tried once more.
“Kit doesn’t need to talk over the old days, Mrs. Kendricks. His best times are now. It was so nice to meet you and see someone from Kit’s past. But I’m sure you have other people to visit. Isn’t that Annie Carstairs trying to get your attention? Weren’t you two in high school together?” Kelly said with false sweetness.
Althea glared at her, then turned back to Kit. “I’ll be in town for a while. I’m sure we’ll run into each other soon.”
Kit chuckled as she walked away and began greeting others at the dance.
“Annie Carstairs is at least seven or eight years older than Althea,” he said as he watched her walk away.
“She’s well preserved for her age,” Kelly said, pulling her aching hand from under his and flexing her fingers.
“She’s the same age I am, dammit.”
Kelly smiled a teasing grin and cocked her head. “And how old is that, pray?”
“Thirty-three. And it’s not old.”
“On her it is.”
“Meow. What a cat.”
Kelly looked as innocent as she knew how. “Excuse me, are you defending her?”
The amusement didn’t leave his eyes as he looked at her sitting so close to him. “Not in the least. But you’re a little hellcat, insulting her like you did.”
“Do you think she caught it?” she asked doubtfully.
He laughed and nodded. “I’m sure. And didn’t like it one bit.”
“You really wanted to marry her?” Kelly asked, her eyes tracking Althea as she danced in the crowd.
“Yeah. Hard to believe now, isn’t it?” His eyes followed her, as well.
“Do you still want her?” Kelly’s voice was soft, gentle.
“No. And maybe I’d better make sure she knows it.”
He turned to Kelly and slipped his hand up beneath her hair, encircling her neck. Drawing her closer, his mouth closed over hers in a hungry kiss. His lips pressed against hers, moving persuasively until she parted her own and felt the gentle entry of his tongue. She forgot the dance, the townspeople, Althea and their charade as she reveled in the sweet sensations rippling through her at his touch.
His mouth moved and she responded, her whole being caught up with the warm waves of tingling awareness and growing yearning Kit caused. She wished they were alone, and had the whole night ahead of them.
He pulled back a few inches, holding her face close to his, his breath fanning across her cheeks, Kelly stared up at him, unaware of the bemusement in her own expression, her mouth craving his.
“You’re still a rowdy cowboy, aren’t you?” she asked, her eyes dropping to his lips. “This isn’t the place for lovemaking.”
“Honey, anywhere I want is the place. And what better spot than where Althea can see it’s not her I want, but you.”
Chapter 4
Kelly started to protest, but Kit simply pulled her against his mouth again and kissed her long and hard.
She was breathing erratically when he released her. “Is that called staking your claim?” she asked, her voice tremulous. Her heart slammed into her chest, blood heating through her body. The other people in the crowded room faded from view. She saw only Kit.
“Yep.”
His eyes roamed the room in blatant satisfaction before he looked back at her. “And everyone who needed to know it, saw.”
“Oh, great.” Embarrassed, she glanced around, noticing people talking, catching the eye of one or two, blushing as she quickly moved hers.
“When Althea leaves, you and I can have a huge fight and everyone will know you’re free again,” he said softly.
She pulled back and glared at him. “I’m free right now, cowboy. Kisses mean nothing. Don’t ride me or I’ll walk away and leave you to Althea.”
His eyes gleamed. “Don’t ride you, when it’d be so much fun?”
Kelly flushed at his words and rose on trembling legs. “I’m going for some food. Want something?” She stepped away from temptation, from danger. She needed a few minutes to get her emotions under control.
“I’ll take a plateful.”
Kelly kept a watchful eye on Kit as she loaded up two plates with an assortment of the food on the tables. She considered her hasty agreement for the charade. She hadn’t thought about it much, just that he’d seemed so upset, and she reacted. His vulnerability struck a chord deep within her. And now that she’d met Althea, she wanted to help him even more. Could they fool the whole town, though? And for how long?
When the dance ended, Clint and Sally offered Kelly a ride home. Accepting, Kelly worried Kit might prove difficult when bidding her good-night. But he didn’t say a word. Waving them goodbye, she entered her house wondering at the disappointment that he hadn’t at least tried to kiss her again.
Kelly woke late Sunday morning. She was heavy lidded and headachy, wishing for more sleep, knowing her body thought she should be up with the sun. Even after her shower, she was listless. No more late nights for her. After only a couple of weeks in Taylorville she was adjusting to country hours.
There was plenty to do around the house. She could put up shelves so she could unpack her books. She could wash the linens, work on the new storybook. But Sundays were lazy days and she didn’t have much motivation. She rather wanted to think about the dance, remember Kit’s kisses and the awkward situation with Althea.
She drifted to her backyard, hot in the afternoon sun but shaded by the large oak tree that grew on the border with Molly Benson’s yard. She sank into one of the lawn chairs and dozed, lazy and content. San Francisco was probably foggy and cold. She rarely sat out in the afternoons there, unless it was during the warm, sunny days of September.
If she still lived in the city she’d have had brunch with friends, made plans for the week and scarcely had time to do routine chores. Life was slower here, and she was surprised at how fast she was adjusting. Wouldn’t her friends be surprised?
“Hi, Kelly. Enjoy the party last night?”
Old Mrs. Benson walked sedately across the yard, two glasses brimful of iced tea on a silver tray. “I brought refreshments.” She sat daintily on the second chair and smiled at Kelly.
“Thanks. It sure gets hot.” Kelly took a long drink of the icy liquid and settled back, smiling at Mrs. Benson. “The dance was enjoyable. I met a lot of people.”
“I saw you sitting with Kit Lockford. He was always a
wild boy.”
Kelly nodded, but said nothing. Had Molly also seen his kisses? How could she have missed them? Everybody and their brother had to have seen them.
The old woman settled back in her chair and smiled. “I remember how Kit used to come into town, whirling the girls around, buying beer from the store. Then he and his rowdy friends sat on the benches drinking and carrying on. Sassing people as they walked by, flirting with all the girls. Aye, he was a wild one. You’d think nothing could have contained him. All he cared for was being rowdy, having fun and riding the rodeos.”
“Rodeos?” Kelly was intrigued. It fit. He was brash and brave and gutsy. He’d have loved the rodeos.
“Yes. That’s what he did, ran that ranch of his and rode the rodeo circuit. Rode the broncs and bulls. Won most of the events. When he was away, Clint took care of his ranch.”
“The ranch belongs to Kit?” Kelly asked, trying to get it all straight.
“Sure does. Though Clint might be a partner now, for all I know. But it was Kit’s. He took over from his mother’s brother. Built it up grand with all his winnings. Fixed up that house for Althea. Never thought young Sally Maguire would be its first mistress.”
Kelly was fascinated. “Kit and Althea were engaged, he told me,” she said slowly, wondering about them. Did he still want her despite his careless words last night?
“Yes. Wild girl. They made a wonderful couple. She so tall with that rich auburn hair, and as wild as he was. Always egging him on, joining in on the parties, following him to the rodeos.”
“So what happened?” Kelly knew the result, but not why. She couldn’t understand the why.
“That young madam tossed him over when she heard the doctor’s report that he’d never walk again. Returned his ring while he was still in the hospital. Awful row they had, so I heard. She was screaming at him, and he pleading with her. It ended by her flinging his ring across the room at him as she marched out.”
“God, how awful.” Kelly’s gentle heart ached for the pain he must have gone through, especially just after finding out the extent of his injuries. How cruel of Althea.
One Stubborn Cowboy Page 5